Robert Drew Nylen, aged 62 of Lowell, Michigan, died tragically May 26, 2013 while kayaking on the Grand River. Rob was a Michigan outdoorsman who spent many happy hours wandering along the edge of the Grand River with his faithful dog, Felix. He had a great love for water, and shared his love of sailing with a close knit group, “Brothers of the Coast”, including crewing on Tri-State races. Over the years, he also actively enjoyed camping, fishing, cross country skiing, hiking and golf. Rob graduated from East Grand Rapids High School in 1969, then completed his B.A. in Liberal Arts from Michigan State University. While at M.S.U., he was a member of Delta Tau Delta, and a winning JV rowing team. He also spent a semester travelling in Turkey and Germany, where he enjoyed using his fluent German. He remained a devoted fan of all the MSU teams throughout the years,(as well as his other favorite teams, the Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers.) Rob’s love of learning continued past college as seen in the stacks of books by his reading chair which usually included history, current events, and works of the great philosophers. After college, Rob worked in his father’s business for a number of years as a manufacturer’s representative, then switched to an occupation that suited him better, hospitality is where he was a well-known fixture in many of the fine dining establishments in Grand Rapids and Ada. His final position was at the B.O. B where he earned the distinction of being sent on a wine sampling trip to France in 2011 for his employer. Robert was preceded in death by his father H. Barr Nylen. He is survived by his mother Norah, sisters Deborah (and Steve) Bauserman, and Nancy (George Busch) Nylen, nephews Trenton and Alec Bauserman, Daniel Nylen and niece Lily Nylen, aunt Rita Owen, and many cousins and family members around the world.The family would like to thank all the wonderful people who have spent countless hours in the search for Rob over the past couple weeks, and the many prayers and voices of care and concern for our Rob while he was missing. A memorial service will take place Saturday, June 29 11:00 a.m. at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Road, Grand Rapids. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
